Convicted Osteopath Awaits Relicensing

September 17, 1985|The Morning Call

Although his medical license was reinstated in August, Allentown osteopath Joseph P. Hutsko, convicted of improperly dispensing diet pills, says he still has not been given the go-ahead by the state to start seeing patients.

"I was told in August after the Board of Osteopathic Examiners voted to reinstate my license that a letter allowing me to practice was in the mail," said Hutsko yesterday.

"It's been six weeks now. I've still had no word," he said.

Hutsko, 51, who had practiced medicine in Allentown for 18 years, lost his license in May after a Lehigh County jury convicted him on 24 of 30 counts of improperly dispensing the pills and on Medicaid fraud.

The charges stem from an investigation by two undercover state agents.

The board's Aug. 8 approval to reinstate his license was not binding, however, until reviewed by chief counsel David Phifer of the state Department of State.

The osteopathic review board is part of the Department of State.

Michele Meloy, department spokesman, said yesterday that the Hutsko decision has just been reviewed by Phifer and now must go back before the board for review.

After the board's final review, a letter will be sent to Hutsko, she said.

"I don't know when the letter will be sent," Meloy said. "I can't venture to give you any kind of timetable."

Hutsko said he had been told by the board in early June his license had been reinstated, but that the board had to hold a public hearing before rendering a final decision.

The board didn't meet in July so August was the earliest it could hold the hearing, Hutsko said.

Once the board mails the letter, he said, he will resume his practice at 111 W. Susquehanna St.

Hutsko, who has been free on his own recognizance living at his home in Coopersburg, is appealing his convictions in Lehigh County Court.

He faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000 for Medicaid fraud.